Treatment for Migraines and Other Chronic Headaches at Drexel Neurosciences Institute

If you experience headaches more than 15 days a month, you may be suffering from a chronic condition, which can be extremely painful and debilitating.

Chronic migraine, a subset of chronic headache, affects over 14 million people in the United States. Migraines can last for hours and cause visual disturbances, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, extreme sensitivity to light and sound, and tingling or numbness in the extremities or face.

The Drexel Neurosciences Institute offers several cutting-edge treatments for those who suffer from chronic headaches or migraine.

Migraine Headache Treatments

There are several treatment options for migraine headaches, including:

Acupuncture

Botox injections

Genetic testing

Medical assessments

Neuropsychological evaluations

Botox® Injection for Chronic Migraine

In 2010, the FDA approved Botox injections to treat chronic migraine in adults (age 18 or older). During this five- to ten-minute procedure, the patient receives multiple injections placed at sites around the head and upper neck. Researchers believe Botox helps reduce migraine frequency and severity by preventing certain chemicals from reaching nerve endings.

Patients who receive Botox injections to treat chronic migraine may experience a 50 percent or more reduction in headache days per month. That said, Botox injections are not a one-size-fits-all procedure, so patients should consider the following before seeking treatment:

Botox is rarely offered as the first treatment option. Patients are encouraged to try at least two other forms of treatment before Botox. If the other forms of treatment do not work, most insurance companies will cover Botox injections.

The responsiveness to injections can't be accurately assessed until after at least three treatments, spaced three months apart.

The effectiveness of Botox emerges roughly one week post-injection, peaks around six weeks, and fades around three months.

A Drexel neurologist can explain treatment options, including Botox injections.

The information on these pages is provided for general information only and should not be used for diagnosis or treatment, or as a substitute for consultation with a physician or health care professional. If you have specific questions or concerns about your health, you should consult your health care professional.